After former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Vice President JD Vance used the moment not just to offer prayers and support, but also to denigrate the 46th president of the United States.
"First of all of course, we wish the best for the former president's health. And it sounds pretty serious, but hopefully he makes the right recovery," Vance said. "I will say, whether the right time to have this conversation is now or some time in the future, we really do need to be honest about whether the former president was capable of doing the job."
Vance's remarks were met with a wave of scorn and derision on social media. Former Rep. Barbara Comstock (D-Va.) called him a "graceless, soulless ghoul" and noted that his record-low job approval as vice president was well-earned. Author and journalist Jeff Nesbit opined that the vice president had "clearly learned from DJT Jr. [Donald Trump Jr.]."
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Others responded to Vance's remarks by pointing out that President Donald Trump, who is 78 years old, should be the one whose health is under the microscope. Former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) said Trump should be the one who should be examined "for mental and physical conditions first." Former Florida state senator Paula Dockery expressed a similar sentiment, tweeting "let's be honest about the current President's health and mental state and stop trying to distract." And former Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter Tom Haudricourt piled on, saying that Trump's "ability to do the job" was "more important at this particular point in time."
"I would say now is definitely the right time to discuss whether the current president is capable of doing the job," tweeted Last Week Tonight with John Oliver producer Matt Passet. "Also, f--- JD Vance."
"These people are disgusting, sick human beings," journalist Noelle Devoe tweeted.
Author and emergency room physician Dr. Brian Goldman took a more direct approach, tweeting: "A reptile had more compassion than you."
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Watch the video of Vance's comments below, or by clicking this link.